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downhill

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go downhill

[for something] to decline and grow worse and worse. This industry is going downhill. We lose money every year. As one gets older, one's health tends to go downhill.

See also: downhill

go downhill

to gradually become worse The area has started to go downhill economically in the last ten years. We started to argue soon after we got married, and things went downhill from there.

See also: downhill

downhill all the way

Also, all downhill from here.

1. Easy from this point, without obstacles the rest of the way. For example, Once we had the basic design, it was downhill all the way.

2. Deteriorating or declining from this point on, as in When the cancer couldn't be removed, it was downhill all the way for him. The usage therefore needs to be clarified by the context to indicate which of these opposite meaning is intended. The figurative use of downhill dates from the late 1500s. Also see go downhill.

See also: all, downhill, way

go downhill

Deteriorate, worsen, as in Ever since the recession began, the business has been going downhill. The figurative use of downhill for "decline" dates from the mid-1800s. Also see downhill all the way.

See also: downhill

it's all downhill

Also, it's all uphill from here. See under downhill all the way.

See also: all, downhill

go downhill

in. to decline. Things began to go downhill when the county cut the maintenance budget.

See also: downhill